Wharton Whitaker

Wharton "Whit" Parker Whitaker, a financial executive, died Saturday of a heart attack while on a ski vacation with his family in Lincoln, N.H. He was 62.

Born in Salem, Mr. Whitaker grew up in Barrington, R.I. , and lived in South Orleans. After earning a degree in business administration from Nichols College, he served in the Navy for three years. In his business career, which included 20 years at Eaton Vance Distributors Inc. , a Boston-based company, he cultivated a competitive spirit that also fired his love of outdoor sports, said his wife of 27 years, Kathi. "He lived by the motto 'Life is not a dress rehearsal,' " she said. In addition to skiing, Mr. Whitaker enjoyed fly fishing, scuba diving, and skeet shooting. One of his proudest achievements, said his wife, was involvement in the Big Brothers program.

He also leaves two daughters, Kelsey and Courtney; a sister, Nancy Keysor of Setauket, N.Y.; and a brother, Ted of Athens . A memorial service will be held today at 10:30 a.m. in Central Congregational Church in Providence.